Legendary record producer Bobby Robinson, now 90 years of age opened Bobby’s Record House, the first Black owned business on 125th Street in 1946. Robinson, a prominent African American independent record producer established six record labels between 1952 and 1962, Red Robin Records, Whirlin’ Disc Records, Fury Records, Everlast Records and Enjoy Records. Robinson produced numerous million-selling records by such notable performers as Wilbert Harrison, The Shirelles, Lee Dorsey, Dave “Baby” Cortez ande Gladys Knight & the Pips’ first hit, “Every Beat of My Heart”.

At issue is whether or not Bobby’s Happy House and other local Black businesses can remain in the “Harlem Has Arrived” corporate takeover of the world renowned community once called the “Black Mecca” in the US. For sure, the subsidized corporation takeover of Harlem is moving full speed ahead with the complicity of presidential hopeful Mayor Michael Bloomberg, the Board of Trustees of Columbia University, the Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone and elected officials. Estimates are that over 50 local Black businesses have been forced out of Harlem and more will follow with the $50 million sale of 112-118 West 125th Street, 250 West 125th Street, 301-303 West 125th Street and 2331-2349 Frederick Douglass Boulevard not to mention new developments that are coming: Hotel 124 at 125th Street and Fifth Avenue; 21 stories Harlem Parks at 125th Street and Park Avenue; a retail complex at 261 W. 125th St; and a retail tower at 125th Street and Lenox Ave with luxury apartments. Columbia University’s bold land grab of over 17 acres in West Harlem and Mayor Bloomberg’s Uptown New York calls for the use of eminent domain to force local businesses to sell to private owners. And the legendary Copeland’s restaurant will host its last Sunday Gospel Brunch on July 29th. With all of these developments coming the number of jobs for the majority local Black population will be minuscule while undocumented workers will be exploited to the hilt! The Real Deal of course is money and backroom deal, all at the misery of the poor and working class. The real estate industry is projecting commercial prices over the next 18 months reaching as high as $2,000 per sq. ft. The pressure is on and we are fighting back. But WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT! JOIN US ON FRIDAY, AUGUST 3RD.